D5000 with nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens - NEW

Simple and short explanation: Revised form of nikon D40.

It is heavier, have 11 AF points (D40 has had 3 only) , CMOS sensor, higher resolution with 12.0 MP , video and a foldable LCD screen (finally !)

But the price is heavier too...

But if you can not afford a D90, this may be a better solution. But do no forget, D5000 can work with DX / AF-S lenses only. It has no internal motor like D90.

Technical specs :

12.0 MP, DX format CMOS Sensor, Live View, ISO200-3200 or 100 (Lo1.0)-6.400 (Hi1.0), 4 fps, 2.7" 230.000 dots LCD screen, D-Movie Mode, 420 Segment RGM colour matrix, ultrasonic self cleaning sensor,11 point AF Area. min 1/4000 sec to max 30 sec (bulb also available)

Recommendations:
Wait... Wait for a while for the price goes down to reasonable levels. If you need to buy a DSLR urgently, add 20% more and buy a D90.
If you have a D40 and waiting for an upgrade, this may be your answer, but wait for several months for the price compensation..
If you have older Nikon lenses (AF lenses), you must go with D90. But if you have DX lenses , it is not a deal at all.

June 2010 >
I believe that the D5000 is one of the best entry level kit for enthusiastic beginners. Only be careful about the low resolution movie compared to rival Canon 500D. But, as this is a photo camera, please do not confuse with these marketing tricks of the rivals and buy a photo camera.

What is "Field Curvative"?

Field curvature means the spherical shape of the focus field. Theoratically, we would assume that the depth of field (the sharpness zone dependent on the object magnification and focus distance) starts at some focus distance x in front of an focused object and ends at some distance y behind. The difference between x and y is called the depth-of-field.

In the real life there's no perfection though and the focus field can be rather distorted (as opposed to flat) with consequences for the depth of field. For sure this isn't overly field relevant but at the image borders the focus field turns inwards (towards you). In infinity focus situation this may cause some focus blur for distant object located at the edges of the image field. It is also relevant for flat objects.



Exaggerated sample :

nikon micro-nikkor AF-S 60mm f/2.8G ED-IF NANO

Nikon Micro-Nikkor AF-S 60 mm f/2.8G ED IF Nano (2008 Release)

FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS

Focal Length : This is a FX format lens, so you can both use them on typical SLR 35 mm cameras and D-SLRs. It is compatible with D40, D40x and D60.
Aperture: f/2.8 . Nine-bladed rounded diaphragm stopping down to f/32
Optics: 12 elements in 9 groups. That includes one ED glass element (shown in yellow) and two aspherical elements shown in blue.

Closest Focus: 18.5 cm(0r 7.2 inches)
Macro Ratio: 1:1 (real Micro lens)
Filter size: 62mm
Accesories: Lens rear/front caps, Barrel-shaped HB-42 Bayonet Lens Hood Supplied
Dimensions: 73 mm(2.9") diameter. Extension from lens flange (length excluding rear mount extension) is 89 mm (3.5").
Weight: 425 grams (15 oz)

MY REVIEW ABOUT THIS LENS
The Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G Nano is extereme sharp and silent lens. Build quality is excellent. Lens glass quality is very high and together with Extra-low Dispertion coating and Nano coating, all flares ang ghosts are successfully eleminated. According to IMATEST results, barrel distortion level is only 0,06% ,could be called as "DISTORTION FREE". Vignetting is seen moderately ay f/2.8, but after that, it is not field relevant. MTF Resolution results are very good, even excellent starting from widest aperture up to f/11. The results seen at f/22 and f/32 are quite soft, which is not a surprise. Chromatic Aberrations are higher than expected, could be called as a shame for a brand new lens in the market with Crystal Nano coating. CA's are 1.6 pixel down to 1 pixel respectively with aperturesettings starting from f/2.8 (1 pixel is limit)


It is a relatively cheap lens and not so heavy that can be also used for candid photography.

But, if you are shooting products not smaller than 20-30 cms, this lens is an excellent macro for you. I have faced some problems to shoot mugs with my 105mm VR as i need to move back to fit the mug in the frame.



PAY ATTENTION :
- This lens' weakest point is Chromatic Aberrations (blue/purple color shadows at harsh contrast transitions) which are around 1,4-1,0 pixel .

VERDICT : Very high sharpness (i was expecting better results, but it does not mean bad ofcourse) and macro abilities with very fast focusing makes this lens a desirable high budget fast macro lens in the market. But over limit CA's (could be deleted by new softwares and Nikon's built in processors) does not fit this prime lens. Recommended (8/10)

nikon micro-nikkor AF 200mm f/4.0D ED-IF

nikon Micro-Nikkor AF 200 mm f/4.0D ED IF (1993 Release)

FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS

Focal Length : This is a FX format lens, so you can both use them on typical Film SLR 35 mm cameras and D-SLRs. (fits all of digital nikon models except D40 , D40x and D60 )
Aperture: f/4.0 . Nine-bladed rounded diaphragm stopping down to f/32
Optics: 13 elements in 8 groups. That includes two ED glass elements (shown in yellow below).

Closest Focus: 50 cm(0r 20 inches)
Macro Ratio: 1:1 (real Micro lens)
Filter size: 62mm
Accesories: Lens rear/front caps, Barrel-shaped screw-in type HN-30 Bayonet Lens Hood (optional). CL-45 flexible lens pouch supplied
Dimensions: 76 mm(3") diameter. Extension from lens flange (length excluding rear mount extension) is 193 mm (7.7").
Weight: 1.190 grams (42.3 oz)

MY REVIEW ABOUT THIS LENS
The Micro-Nikkor 200mm f/4D is very sharp lens with a very good build quality. According to IMATEST results, barrel distortion level is only 0,05% , not even negligible in lab conditions. Vignetting is almost non-exsistant, even at widest aperture setting of f/4.0.

MTF Resolution results are excellent (at f/4 to f/11). Chromatic Aberrations are increadibly low, even at lab. This lens shows no signs of lateral CA's. Exceptionally rare characteristics.
The focusing speed iseems very slow, if you do not switch off -very handy- "full" switch on the body, which starts from 0,50m to infinity. After "limit" switch, focusing become regular. There is no Silent Wave Motor on this lens. It uses old style -loud and slow- focusing motor.

For makro photographers, this lens is "the lens" you are looking for.

Frankly Suggestion : If your budget is not enough to buy this lens, my personal suggestion is to buy a Sigma 150mm f/2.8 Macro lens for only-macro-obsessed enthusiasts.

PAY ATTENTION :
- This lens' weakest point is being heavy and slow/loud focusing.
- Relatively high price and 1993 release pushes me twice before purchasing this lens. (But now I own it- February 2010). I believe that nikon will announce a new nikon 200mm nikkor-micro f/4G VR IF ED Nano in few years. But it will be a "G"elded lens and more plastic and Made in Thailand :( ... So, before being a classic, i recommend you own one if you can afford...

VERDICT : It is an expensive and a heavy lens but the build quality, sharpness and almost no CA's are excellent. This lens is indispensible for "more micro" searchers. Highly Recommended (9/10)

nikon mount budget sigma super telephoto zoom lenses

There are two questions:

1) What is your purpose of buying a super telephoto zoom?
2) What is your budget?

If you want to shoot professionally birds or F1 racing cars, a zoom lens will not serves you appropiately. If you are shooting at hand, you need a lot of light and a fast aperture. Please check my comments for budget sigma lenses found in the market..


Sigma 50-500 mm f/4.0-6.3 EX DG HSM
1160 US$ > 1840 gr > 20 optics> optical quality 6,5
Pros:
Wide range covering from 50mm to 500mm
Cheap
Recommended for general purpose and tripod use

Cons:
Heavy
Very Slow
Not recommended for fast moving object shooting
Not good for handheld usage

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Sigma 100-300 mm f/4 EX DG HSM APO
1200 US$ > 1440 gr > 16 optics> optical quality 9,5

Pros:
Very fast aperture
Excellent quality of optics
Could be used at handheld
Recommended for sports and wildlife shooting
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LENS

Cons:
Telephoto finishes at 300mm (could be used with 1.4x teleconverter > 420mm)

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Sigma 150-500 mm f/5.0-6.3 OS HSM
979 US$ > 1910 gr > 21 optics> optical quality 6,5

Pros:
Telephoto upto 500mm
OS (Optical Stabilisation) - Sigma's VR
Not so expensive for a 500mm telephoto zoom with OS

Cons:
Very heavy (Because of OS)
Very Slow Aperture
Not recommended for fast moving object shooting like race cars and birds
Not so good for handheld although OS gives 2 stops advantage
Not so sharp optics

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Sigma 170-500 mm f/5.0-6.3 APO HSM

769 US$ > 1345 gr > 13 optics > optical quality 7,5

Pros:
Only for ultra long telephoto purposes
Very cheap
Lighter than its rivals
Reasonable optics

Cons:
Very Slow Aperture
Not recommended for fast moving object shooting , only tripod usage recommended
Not good for handheld usage

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Sigma 120-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 APO DG OS HSM
849 US$ > 1750 gr > 21 optics> optical quality 7

Pros:
OS (Optical Stabilisation) - Sigma's VR
Not so expensive for a 400mm telephoto zoom with OS

Cons:
Only upto 400mm
Quite heavy (Because of OS)
Very Slow Aperture
Not recommended for fast moving object shooting like race cars and birds
Not so good for handheld although OS gives 2 stops advantage

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Sigma 135-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 APO DG
NA as brand new > 1245 gr > 13 optics> optical quality 7

Pros:
Not so expensive for a 400mm telephoto zoom with OS
Light, can be used handheld under strong light

Cons:
Only upto 400mm
Quite loudy because of old style focus motor
Very Slow Aperture
Not recommended for fast moving object shooting like race cars and birds
Will be replaced with a new model soon


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Sigma 80-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 EX APO DG OS
999US$ > 1750 gr > 20 optics> optical quality 7,5

Pros:
OS (Optical Stabilisation)
Not so expensive for a 400mm telephoto zoom with OS
Wide covering range

Cons:
Only upto 400mm
Very heavy (Because of OS)
Very Slow Aperture
Not recommended for fast moving object shooting like race cars and birds
Not so good for handheld although OS gives 2 stops advantage
Loud focusing motor

D60 with nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens - 16-85mm vs 18-200mm

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gearporn/2311682098/

Because of my business trips to Taiwan, i have a lot of chance to stop by photo shops. As the prices in Taiwan are considerable low - compared to Europe and just a little higher then BH Photo, i usually buy my lenses from Taiwan.

My collaguaes start to ask me to buy a camera and lens from Taiwan, and this trip, i have bought two nikon D-SLRs and two lenses.

The first one is a nikon D60 with nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens.

As a D300 owner, i usually use my "tourist lens" - nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR with my camera. But, since the 16-85mm VR has announced, a little bit wider 16-17mm made me itchy , and this time, i have cought the chance to try.

When i check my photos, i have seen that, i usually use 18-100mm range of my lense. +100mm rarely i have used. So, 16-85mm VR looks like a deal for me... Was it?...

When you compare the lens optical quality, 16-85mm VR is better than 18-200mm VR; by means of distortions and resolution. The distortions on 16-20mm is very well controlled. Chrommatic Abberrations are around 1 pixel level on the ultra wide end of the lens, also acceptable.

Lighter weight is also an advantage compared to 18-200mm VR, but not a big deal for a D300 owner as well.

Using the 16mm end of the lens gave me a lot of chance to compose my photos as i like and very few times i have missed my 18-200mm.

About D60:

After D300, this was like a mouse in my hand, but after a while, i have get used to it as a nikon user. But only 3 AF points, small screen, limited menu and slow recording speed made me feel strangled. But, D60 is a quite good camera, considering the price. Its simple LCD info screen, self cleaning image sensor, 10.1 MP CCD sensor make it a good starter D-SLR in the market.

OOOPPSSS:

Second day i try the 16-85mm VR, i have discovered some white dusts inside the 16-85mm VR lens. What is going on??

The weather in Taiwan is quite humid and hot, is it because of this? Can not be.. I have used lot of lenses here for weeks, even months, but nothing happened to any of them.

The scenery above ruinned my visit, because i was in HuaLien and there are no nikon dealers here and there is no way to go back to Kaohsiung to hand the lens and go back home with a D60 body only. I will try to do it from Turkey, but this is not the important part. How come a brand new lens get some dust inside the lens???

I will inform you in the future about the result and cause of this incident...

PS: 22 April 2009 > I still have these dusts inside the lens. Not effecting the quality of the picture but makes me sick... I am still waiting for my next trip to Taiwan...

NEW! nikon D90 released with a new kit lens

"I can not afford a D300" , "I want to buy a CMOS sensor, semi-expert D-SLR" , "I do not want to buy a D80"

Here is your answer.

12.3 MP, DX format CMOS Sensor, Live View, ISO200-3200 or 100 (Lo1.0)-6.400 (Hi2.0), very low noise, 4.5fps, 3" LCD screen, D-Movie Mode, GPS Geo-tracking, 1005 RGB Matrix metering, in camera image editting, self cleaning sensor,11 point AF Area.

This camera is a revolution in Dxx series compared to all "CCD sensor"ed D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s and D80.

Another revolution for nikon D-SLR's is capability of recording 720 pixel HD movie clips. This may sound weird for SLR users, but do not be spider head and enjoy the fruits of technology. I believe you will not use this mode often, but in case of need, this will eleminates to carry to cameras for recording/photographing purposes. I would like to remind you that this mode will suck your battery to the bones for sure.

Power up is 0.15 second, which is faster than a blink of an eye.

Compared to D80, D90 has new advantages like:
3inch LCD screen (D80 has had a 2,5inch LCD screen)
Having Live View mode
Video capture speciality
12.3 MP sensor (D80 has had a 10MP)
50% faster shutter - 4,5 fps (D80 has had 3fps)
GPS Geo tagging (optional with GP-1 GPS unit)
HDMI
Better battery life
Upgraded software and in-camera properties

Are you still reading? C'mon... Leave your computer and get one asap...

(Price tag - body only 990 US$/Euro)

Not finished !!!
A new DX lens released together with the D90 too.
AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
I do not have any test or review note at the moment, but i may guess that it would be a cheap solution for zoom and kit lens seekers. My favorite is still 16-85mm VR and 18-200mm VR as a kit lens, but hope this one will have better results than this low-quality 18-135mm supplied together with D80's. But looking to price (300US$ in US), i may consider this lens as a regular kit lens with a plus only (VR) compared to 18-55mm and 18-70mm kit lenses...